New York Knicks: 50-1
Whatever debate there has been about Phil Jackson’s ability to institute a culture shift in New York is over. He did it could have possibly foreseen.
J.R. Smith has seen the light.
“Trying to think about the rest of the group over my scoring is something which I never really had to do before,” Smith told ESPNNewYork.com’s Ohm Youngmisuk. “I have been in a situation to dent, [now I am ] in position to take my time and let the game come and let my teammates succeed over myself, I believe that’s the ultimate win.”
For now, it appears Jackson has performed magic, although personal transformations in the preseason have a means of reversing themselves as the year progresses.
Getting Smith to purchase in the equal-opportunity tenets of this triangle offense is enormous, and everything after that–figuring out how to coax defense out of a frontcourt rotation between Andrea Bargnani and Amar’e Stoudemire, convincing James Dolan to maintain kazoos from the locker room–should be cake.
The Knicks are far removed from a 54-win season in 2012-13. Jackson’s influence should help them get closer to this total than the 37 wins they amassed last season.
Don’t expect a championship chase–Carmelo Anthony understands some help and not until 2015 is sloughed off in by the undesirable contracts on the novels.
Read more: todaysportsnews.org
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